Penn Museum Uses Silica Gel for Artifact Preservation

The Penn Museum employs silica gel to regulate humidity in display cases, protecting sensitive artifacts from deterioration. Approximately 300 kilograms of the material are distributed throughout galleries, with two-thirds conditioned to 40-60% humidity and one-third desiccated below 30%. The museum uses hygrometers to monitor conditions weekly and implements microclimate cases for specific objects, reducing silica gel requirements. Conservators recondition the gel annually to maintain optimal preservation conditions.